Zipline adventure

Saturday

May 18, 2013 at 2:00 AMMay 18, 2013 at 10:54 AM

When you hear the word zipline, you may think of monkeys screeching and tropical birds darting through the air as thrill-seekers soar on a silver wire through a tropical jungle. But did you know you can get the same thrill close to home, with breathtaking views of Mount McLoughlin, the Table Rocks and the rim of Crater Lake from hundreds of feet above the trees? It's called Rogue Valley Zipline, and it's easily within an hour's drive from Ashland.

Amelia Covert Zeve

When you hear the word zipline, you may think of monkeys screeching and tropical birds darting through the air as thrill-seekers soar on a silver wire through a tropical jungle. But did you know you can get the same thrill close to home, with breathtaking views of Mount McLoughlin, the Table Rocks and the rim of Crater Lake from hundreds of feet above the trees? It's called Rogue Valley Zipline, and it's easily within an hour's drive from Ashland.

Owners Lindsey and Jason Rice-Meilicke believe it's the longest zipline in the Pacific Northwest. Situated south of Gold Hill on the Rice-Meilickes' property off Kane Creek Road, their tour offers five ziplines in a progressive order, from easy start to thrilling finish. The zipline tour is fully instructional and allows you to walk away a ziplining pro. For more details, visit their website at rvzipline.com or call them at 1-800-ZIPN (9476).

Although ziplining seems dangerous, complicated and not for the weak-minded, it's as simple as walking or breathing. There's no need to use gloves to slow yourself, and if you forget to do something, you won't go crashing down into the trees as a result. Rogue Valley Zipline aims to provide high-tech, worry-free flying.

"The people here are amazing," says Greta Zeve, age 12. "It's not just the ziplining that's fun, but the people make the opportunity really fun, too."

Rogue Valley Zipline is located at 9450 Old Stage Road, Central Point, but customers meet in Gold Hill to take a shuttle to the site. Tours must be reserved in advance, and customers are required to sign waivers. Cost is $78, with a $10 discount for those under age 18.

Amelia Covert Zeve is an Ashland High School student and freelance writer living in Ashland. Reach her via email at ameliacovertzeve@gmail.com.